Day-to-Day Life

For many older adults, driving represents freedom. Discussing driving with aging loved ones can be emotional and complex. Safe driving hinges on cognitive, physical, and sensory abilities, and changes in these areas can raise concerns. Here are some tips to help you approach the topic with empathy and practical solutions, ensuring safety while respecting independence.

Warning Signs and Risk Factors

While aging doesn’t automatically mean unsafe driving, the following signals may suggest it’s time to reassess: Continue reading Navigating the Road Ahead: Talking to Your Aging Loved Ones About Driving

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Nearly 42% of people over 55 may develop dementia—a risk that’s hard to ignore and rising. For those with certain health conditions, the likelihood doubles. While this may sound alarming, there’s no need to panic. You have more control over your brain health than you think, and taking simple steps today can make a big difference.

A 2023 study published in Nature Medicine found that dementia risk has increased, particularly among people with heart-related diseases. However, experts stress that risk is not destiny—many people with these risk factors never develop dementia.

The study also found that Black individuals face a sharper rise in risk starting at age 75. For women, the risk surpasses men’s around age 85, primarily because women tend to live longer. Continue reading Worried About Dementia? The Risk is Rising—Here’s How You Can Take Action

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Welcome to a new era in senior living. Recent groundbreaking research from NORC at the University of Chicago, funded by NIC, is changing how we see senior living communities, including the ones we operate here at ABHM. By studying older adults who moved into these communities in 2017, the research uncovered surprising—and reassuring—insights into their health and longevity. Get ready to rethink aging and senior living.

A Longer Lease on Life
Let’s talk numbers. The study found that people who made the move to senior living communities lived, on average, more than a week longer than their counterparts living in the greater community.

More Than Four Walls: Access to Vital Care
Senior housing isn’t just about providing a roof overhead; it’s about fostering an environment where residents can thrive. And part of that thriving comes from access to essential healthcare services. The study revealed that people in senior living communities received a notable uptick in home health care services—10 days more, to be exact—compared to their peers living elsewhere. From routine check-ups to more specialized care, this increased access ensures that residents have the support they need to stay healthy.

It doesn’t stop there. Individuals in senior living communities received an additional four days of preventative and rehabilitative health services at home. This proactive approach to health management not only addresses issues as they arise but also works to prevent them from occurring in the first place. Continue reading Can Residing in a Senior Living Community Prolong Your Life? Yes!

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Three elderly men laughing and playing cards

The prospect of adding new friendships can bring a lot of joy to some folks but to others in post retirement, making new friends can be challenging. Especially if you’ve moved closer to your adult children and grandchildren. While happy about having more support from your family, leaving a circle of lifelong friends can be lonely.

Let’s face it, our closest friends know everything about us, our secrets, our stories, our families so we don’t have to tell our backstory each time we meet. This “short-hand” conversation style takes a while to create and it can be overwhelming to start all over again in a new place.

Most of us haven’t made new friends since we were in school, but research studies have repeatedly shown that having an active social life is essential to older adults’ physical and mental health.

If you or someone you know is reluctant to socialize, encourage them to start small and take their time. After all, a person’s best friend doesn’t become one overnight! Here are some helpful tips for making new friends:

1. Join in.
Take the pressure off one-on-one conversations and join a group, club, or activities where you can find others who share your interests. Religious congregations, exercise classes or your communities’ activities calendar is a great place to start.

2. Manage expectations for new friendships.
Making quality friendships takes time, so try to be patient. Show genuine interest but then give a new friendship the time and space to develop naturally.

3. Dine with a variety of people.
Meal times at a senior living community are the hub of social engagement. If it feels intimidating to walk in alone, locate a staff member who can help you locate new folks to dine with each day.

4. Keep an open mind.
Many folks are surprised by the new life they find in a senior living community. Be open to making friends with people you meet, even those who might not seem like someone you would mix with. Community life inherently offers a common ground that can be the basis for a potential friendship. Say “hi” in the hallways, greet new residents when they move in and spend some time in the common areas.

5. Make friends with the staff.
A senior living community at its best is a family. While staff members must maintain professional boundaries, these intergenerational friendships benefit everyone. Generally, the staff know everyone in the community and can help introduce you to other residents.

6. To have a friend, you have to be a friend.
Put the other person first and be a good listener, ask lots of questions, and get to know the other person. Think about how you can be helpful to the other person, and show up for them when they need you.

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National Family Caregivers Month has been spearheaded by the Caregiver Action Network since 1994 and formally recognized since 1997, when President Clinton signed the first annual NFC Month Presidential Proclamation.

NFC Month recognizes the more than 40 million caregivers taking care of aging parents, sick spouses, or other loved ones with illness or disability. Caregivers spend an average of 13 days every month on caregiving activities, equivalent to an economic value of $500 billion in unpaid services—three times more than annual Medicaid spending on long-term care. However, because it’s a labor of love, this hard work goes largely unseen and unrecognized for most of the year.

“Family caregivers have an immeasurable impact on the lives of those they assist, but their hours are long and their work is hard. Many put their own lives on hold to lift up someone close to them,” President Barack Obama said in his National Family Caregiver Month Proclamation in 2012. “National Family Caregivers Month is a time to reflect on the compassion and dedication that family caregivers embody every day.”

According to the Caregiver Action Network, November is our opportunity to celebrate the efforts of family caregivers, increase our support, raise awareness for caregiver issues, and educate caregivers about self-identification. The 2019 theme for NFC Month is #BeCareCurious. This theme encourages caregivers to be proactive and engaged when it comes to their loved one’s care, whether that’s in the doctor’s office, in the hospital, or at home.

This month, make an extra effort to #BeCareCurious about:

  • Your Loved One’s Goals: Having hard conversations about treatment goals in the face of a serious disease is challenging for everyone involved, but these discussions are necessary to ensure your loved one is receiving the care they really want.
  • Treatment Options: If your loved one isn’t responding well to their current treatment, ask their doctor about other options. When you’re not feeling well, it can be hard to be your own advocate. That’s why they’re lucky to have you in the room with them.
  • Research: The internet is a great resource for understanding the basics of a loved one’s condition, but it can also be a mess of conflicting and inaccurate advice. Don’t stop at Google. Follow up with your loved one’s doctors to get the full picture.
  • The Care Plan: After a loved one is discharged from the hospital, most of the follow-up care will happen at home. Make sure you understand what they will need in the weeks to come. Ask questions about medications, care procedures, and future appointments.
  • Coverage: Be vocal when it comes to insurance coverage and do your research to fully understand the ins and outs of your loved one’s plan. This will make life easier for you and will help avoid any expensive surprises.

Acting as a family caregiver is not an easy job. It adds stress and complication to your life no matter how willingly and lovingly the care is given. But as they say, knowledge is power. The more you know about your loved one’s goals, needs, and situation, the more confident and capable you’ll feel as their caregiver.

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The later decades of your life can be among the most rewarding. You have more free time to devote to hobbies and people that make you happiest. You may be blessed with the joys of becoming a grandparent. You have more wisdom, patience, and confidence than you did when you were younger. And you have the perspective to know not to take any of it for granted.

It’s important to keep your body and mind healthy to enjoy these years to their fullest. The key to healthy aging is maintaining a healthy lifestyle. There are five essential science-backed elements to living a healthy lifestyle at any that any age, which continue to serve as a strong foundation for health and daily well-being as we age.

The 5 essential elements of healthy aging are:

  • Diet
    Many Americans consume far more sodium, sugar, and fat than they should, but following a healthy diet can become even more challenging as we age. Make sure your diet is largely composed of whole foods, including vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and good sources of protein. If cooking for yourself becomes an obstacle, take advantage of your senior living community’s dining room. The menus are created according to nutritional guidelines and will help you maintain a balanced diet.

 

  • Exercise
    Regular exercise is one of the most important elements of physical and mental well-being at any age. And contrary to popular assumption, it only becomes more important as we get older. Maintaining your physical fitness will help you retain independence, prevent injury, and can provide relief from chronic illnesses such as arthritis and diabetes.If you don’t already have a fitness regimen, read our tips for how to start an exercise routine after age 60.

 

  • Relationships
    Loneliness is among the biggest dangers to your health — especially later in life. Social isolation increases risk for depression, anxiety, dementia, and even early mortality. Maintaining an active social life can certainly become more challenging as we age, but that just means it’s even more important to make this area of your life a priority. Set up weekly calls or visits with family members, go on walks or get meals with friends, and find ways to get involved in your community.

 

  • Mental Stimulation
    Some people assume that cognitive decline is a natural byproduct of aging, but that doesn’t have to be the case. Practicing good habits for your cognitive health can prevent Alzheimer’s and dementia, improve memory, and minimize those pesky “senior moments.” The good news is that following the other four essential habits of healthy aging will naturally support brain health. In addition, find ways to keep your brain active every day. Try new things, learn a new skill, read books, play games, and engage in meaningful activities like volunteering.

 

  • Sleep
    Yes, sleep is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle! Sleep is restorative; while you’re catching Z’s, your body repairs any cellular damage that occurred during the day and reboots your immune system. A good night’s sleep also supports memory, mood, and concentration. Older adults who don’t get enough sleep are more susceptible to depression, memory loss, nighttime falls, and infection.Insomnia becomes more common as we age. To make sure you’re getting good quality sleep, build a healthy sleep routine and stick to it. Go to bed at the same time every day, keep your bedroom as dark as possible, and avoid caffeine and alcohol in the evening.

 

If you’re struggling with any of these five elements of healthy aging, ask for help. Talk to your doctor about any concerns you have about your health, reach out to the staff in your community, or confide in a trusted friend or family member. The most important thing to remember about aging is that none of us should do it alone. Take advantage of the support systems around you and ask for help when you need it.

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